Heavenly Thinking
Introduction:
After discussing in the previous verses how man-made religions are of no
help in reaching those heavenly shores, Paul now instructs his readers as to
what one needs to do to live eternally in the presence of God.
Text:
Colossians 3:1-4
Body:
I.
Seek Those Things Which Are Above
Colossians 3:1
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above,
where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.”
NKJV
Before
we can begin a new life with Christ, we must first be buried with Christ.
(Romans
6:3-4)
“Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus
were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through
baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the
glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
NKJV
This places them in a new relationship with God. (Galatians
3:26-27)
“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of
you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
NKJV
One
doesn’t suddenly have all these Christ-like qualities bestowed upon him
immediately after baptism. We must seek them. It requires much effort on
the seeker’s part. These are attributes of Christ: holiness, virtue, love,
humility, justice, kindness, and compassion. (Matthew
9:35-38)
“Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their
synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness
and disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved
with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep
having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest truly is
plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest
to send out laborers into His harvest.’ ”
NKJV
For many, this also means we must realign our priorities and our goals from
an earthly to a heavenly-oriented life, one entirely devoted to seeking His
presence in heaven and so blessed as to be a blessing to others. This
redirection will affect our morals, our home life, our work and especially
our service in the kingdom. Instead of using material things to satisfy our
own wants, we will use them to help spread the gospel in our community and
throughout the world and to help others who are in need. Truly, this
is seeking those things which are above!
II.
Set Your Mind on Things Above
Colossians 3:2
“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”
NKJV
Have a strong intent and fill your mind with thoughts of heaven and
everything contained within it. Read about it in the Word of God. Meditate
daily on spiritual things. (Philippians
4:8)
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble,
whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are
lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if
there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.”
NKJV
Be engrossed with what’s good and right. Do not fill your mind with
thoughts of earthly things. (Proverbs
28:5)
“Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the Lord understand
all.”
NKJV
These things “war against the soul.” (I
Peter 2:11)
“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts
which war against the soul,”
NKJV
(James
3:15)
“This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.”
NKJV
We
should follow the example of Moses in
Hebrews 11:24-26.
“By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of
Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of
God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of
Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt for he looked to the
reward.”
NKJV
III.
Die to Sin
Colossians
3:3
“For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
NKJV
We must die to rule and practice of sin in our lives. (Romans
6:1-2)
“What should we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?
Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?”
NKJV
No longer live for sin. Do not engage in willful habitual
sin. (I
John 3:9)
“Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and
he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.”
NKJV
The
Word of God remains in him. The faithful child of God is safe
and secure in Christ – totally assured that our fellowship with God cannot
be taken sway by anyone. (John
10:27-29)
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give
them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch
them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than
all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.”
NKJV
What a great assurance this is to the faithful Christian.
IV.
Remember Christ Is Coming Again
Colossians 3:4
“When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in
glory.”
NKJV
Christ is our life; He sustains us. Christ said in
John 6:51
“I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this
bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give us My flesh,
which I shall give for the life of the world.”
NKJV
God’s people should look forward to that great day. It will provide much
comfort. (I
Thessalonians 4:16-18)
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice
of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will
rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together
with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall
always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
NKJV
Our life should be lived in anticipation of being in heaven with God
forever.
Conclusion:
A gospel preacher had announced on his radio broadcast that his topic next
Sunday would be, “Heaven.” Here, in part, is the letter he received prior
to his lesson.
“Next Sunday you are to talk about “Heaven.” I am interested in that land,
because I have held a clear title to a bit of property there for over 55
years. I did not buy it. It was given to me at a tremendous sacrifice. I
am not holding it for speculation, since the title is not transferable. It
is not a vacant lot. For more than half a century I have been sending
material out of which the greatest architect and builder of the universe has
been building a home for me, which will never need to be repaired because it
will suit me perfectly, individually, and will never grow old.
Termites can never undermine its foundations for they rest upon the Rock of
Ages. Fire cannot destroy it. Floods cannot wash it away. No locks or
bolts will ever be placed upon its doors, for no vicious person can ever
enter that land where my dwelling stands, now almost completed and already
ready for me to enter and abide in peace eternally, without fear of being
ejected. There is a valley of deep shadows between the place where I live
in California and that to which I shall journey in a very short time. I
cannot reach my home in that City of God without passing through that dark
valley of shadows. But I am not afraid, because the best Friend that I ever
had went through the same valley long, long ago and drove away all its
gloom. He has stuck by me through thick and thin since we first became
acquainted 55 years ago, and I hold His promise in printed form, never to
forsake nor leave me alone. He will be with me as I walk through the valley
of the shadows, and I shall not lose my way when He is with me.
I hope to hear your sermon on “heaven” next Sunday from my home in Los
Angeles, California, but I have no assurance that I shall be able to do so.
My ticket to heaven has no date marked for the journey – no return coupon –
and no permit for baggage. Yes, I am ready to go and I may not be here
while you are talking next Sunday, but I shall meet you there some day.”
Have you prepared for that great day? Have you died to sin? Have you been
buried with Him in baptism? Are you walking a new life?
Bobby Stafford
July 21, 2019
